Officer Ryan Tillman, the beloved school resource officer at Don Lugo High School in California, found a creative and unforgettable way to say goodbye to his students.
After building lasting bonds throughout his time at the school, Tillman was preparing to leave his role following his promotion to Chino Police Corporal. But instead of a traditional farewell, he chose to leave a lasting impression.
Teaming up with the school principal and the dance team, Officer Tillman orchestrated a surprise dance performance during a school assembly, making his departure truly memorable.
Officer Ryan Tillman, the beloved school resource officer at Don Lugo High School in California, found a fun and unforgettable way to say goodbye to his students. After building strong connections during his time at the school, Tillman was preparing to leave his role after receiving a promotion to Chino Police Corporal. But instead of a typical farewell, he chose to make his exit with a bang.
Speaking with NBC Los Angeles, Tillman explained his decision, saying, “I wanted to make a big exit, so I thought, what better way than to dance?” It wasn’t just a goodbye—it was a chance to leave a lasting, lighthearted memory for the students he’d grown close to.
As the school assembly kicked off, the gymnasium buzzed with excitement when Tillman joined the dance students on stage. When Lil Mama’s “Lip Gloss” started playing, the performance kicked into high gear. While it may have seemed unusual for a police officer to join in on a high school dance, Officer Tillman wasn’t just an officer—he had some serious moves!
The students erupted in cheers as Tillman showed off his dance skills. Another school resource officer applauded his courage, saying, “I’m also an SRO, but I could NEVER get up in front of staff and students to dance. Kudos to you for doing it. Many people don’t realize the balance SROs must strike with young people at their schools.”
The performance only got more exciting from there. Halfway through the routine, the music switched to MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” and Tillman took the crowd on a trip down memory lane with iconic ’90s dance moves. He nailed the signature MC Hammer shuffle, winning even more cheers from the audience.
Tillman’s energy continued to captivate the crowd as he moved through different songs and routines, all while wearing his full police uniform. One commenter summed it up perfectly: “This is awesome! We need to see more of this.”
But the performance was more than just a fun spectacle. It was a powerful demonstration of Officer Tillman’s commitment to fostering positive relationships with the school community. In a statement to NBC Los Angeles, he shared that his goal was to show gratitude to the students and staff while also “shining a positive light” on police officers.
In addition to his role as an SRO, Officer Tillman is dedicated to improving community relations through his organization, Breaking Barriers United, which works to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Since the video of Tillman’s farewell dance went viral, it’s captured hearts all over the world. One viewer even commented, “Every city needs a cop like you! Great job!”
While goodbyes are often emotional, Officer Tillman’s high-energy, creative performance made his departure a lot more fun and a little less bittersweet.
NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO THE AUTHOR OF THE VIDEO) [YouTube/Breaking Barriers United]